JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 23, 2002) - The Southern Conference softball coaches and sports information directors have voted the East Tennessee State softball team fifth in the conference in both preseason polls announced Wednesday.
The Buccaneers finished fifth in the Southern Conference last season, the first year of ETSU softball. Head coach Stephanie DeFeo led the Bucs to a 14-35 record, setting a mark for the most wins by a first-year program in Southern Conference history. ETSU won series from conference foes Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern and UNC Wilmington.
Chattanooga was picked to repeat as league champions by both polls. In the coaches poll, the Mocs edged out Furman by just one vote while Chattanooga outdistanced the Paladins by 12 votes in the SID poll. The Lady Mocs won their fifth straight regular season title in 2001 with an 18-2 conference record. East Tennessee State opens their season at The University of South Carolina Invitational, Feb. 16-17 from Columbia, S.C.
Southern Conference Softball Preseason Polls
Preseason Coaches Poll
1 .Chattanooga (4) 57
2. Furman (3) 56
3. UNC Greensboro 49
4. Georgia Southern (1) 44
5. ETSU 27
6. UNCW 20
7. College of Charleston 19
8. Appalachian State 16
Preseason SID's Poll
1. Chattanooga (6) 62
2. Furman (2) 50
3. Georgia Southern 49
4. UNC Greensboro 44
5. ETSU 28
6. College of Charleston 26
7. UNCW 15
8. Appalachian State 14